Trump Administration Resumes Student Visa Appointments—with Stricter Social Media Vetting

The U.S. State Department has lifted its temporary suspension on student (F, M) and exchange visitor (J) visa interviews following a directive from the Trump administration. The suspension, which began on May 27, allowed time for the implementation of enhanced vetting procedures, including mandatory social media reviews for all applicants.

Under the new policy, visa applicants are now required to set their social media profiles to public. This measure allows consular officers to review posts for any content deemed hostile to the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States.

Consular officers will also assess online activity for indications of ties to terrorism, support for antisemitic violence, or negative sentiment toward U.S. foreign policy. The intensified screening forms part of broader efforts by the administration to tighten immigration controls and national security measures.

Visa appointments officially resumed today, with the new vetting system fully in place.

The resumption follows mounting pressure from education advocates and international organizations to restore access to U.S. academic institutions for foreign students.

Despite the reopening of appointments, concerns remain about the potential chilling effect of increased surveillance on academic freedom and global educational exchange.

The move aligns with additional actions recently taken by the administration, including visa restrictions for certain universities, targeted revocations of previously issued student visas, and the use of AI-driven programs to flag individuals suspected of involvement in pro-Palestinian activism. By mid-May, nearly 2,000 student visas had already been revoked under these measures.

What This Means for ApplicantsStudent and exchange visas are now available for scheduling. Applicants should prepare for more rigorous scrutiny of their online presence, expect thorough background reviews, and anticipate potential delays due to the added workload on consular services.

The reopening represents a balancing act between maintaining access to U.S. education and advancing the administration’s security agenda through intensified vetting procedures.